Entries in Polar Bears
(2)

(SVALBARD, Norway) -- A young British tourist was mauled to death by a polar bear in Norway early Friday morning. A party of nearly 80 people was on a camping trip with the British Schools Exploring Society near the remote Von Postbeen glacier when the attack occurred.

Four others were seriously injured and one person in the group is said to have shot the bear. Two of the four injured were leaders of the trip, which was thought to be comprised of males between the ages of 16 and 20.

The attack occurred around 25 miles from Longyearbyen and took place early Friday morning, in an area that is popular with tourists, researchers and adventurers. Earlier in the year, the governor's office warned people of bear attacks after several were spotted.

There are no roads in the area of the Von Postbreen glacier, so a medical helicopter was rushed to the scene after the incident, according to the governor’s office spokeswoman.

The UK Foreign Office said its embassy in Oslo is urgently investigating the situation.

Polar bears are one of the largest carnivores, reaching up to 8 feet and weighing around 800 kg.